Inside the Hall family estate in East Chester County.
Audrey sat before her vanity, lighting a single candle.
Then, across the flickering flame, she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her emerald eyes gradually deepened, becoming so captivating that one couldn't look away, as if even their soul wished to drown within them.
"Audrey, stay awake in the dream tonight," she said to herself in a soft, sweet voice.
This was a simple "psychological suggestion."
The ancient ballad she had heard at dusk gave her the inspiration to explore her own dreams, to see if she could use them to enter the sea of collective subconscious and the spiritual firmament of all living beings.
This was an attempt no other "Psychiatrist" had ever conceived. At the very least, there was nothing similar in the reference experiences provided by the "
Perhaps she could find the Spirit Dragon there, or even the "City of Miracles," Livishid... Audrey averted her gaze, removed the "
She was afraid that this mystical item, capable of amplifying emotions, might affect her dream self and cause unnecessary harm, so she prudently handled it in advance.
After doing this, Audrey instinctively glanced at her reflection and noticed a small flaw in her appearance again.
When she wore the "Lie," she had felt so intoxicated by her own beauty that she couldn't help but indulge.
"Snap out of it, Audrey. That is just a Lie!" She raised her right palm and gently stroked her cheek.
At this moment, she felt especially grateful that she had named the mystical item "Lie," constantly reminded to be vigilant. Otherwise, she might one day become completely dependent on it, unwilling to face her true self, and if she lost it, she could very well directly lose control.
"Those girls who are somewhat plain, once they put on the 'Lie' and modify their appearance to achieve near-perfect changes, might never be willing to take it off. They would rather die than keep it... the Beyonder corresponding to this item cannot have a similar mentality..." Audrey sighed and stood up.
She wore a smooth silk nightgown and walked nimbly and expectantly through the warm spring-like room back to her soft, comfortable, and bouncy bed, pulling a cord at the headboard.
Her personal maid,
Before long, Audrey was truly asleep.
In a hazy realm, she suddenly shuddered, realizing that she was dreaming.
She looked around with keen interest and muttered silently to herself: "Is this a 'lucid dream' in psychology?
"There is a similar concept in mysticism as well.
"It really works! I successfully induced a 'lucid dream' through a simple self-psychological suggestion. Audrey, you are a genius~ No, no, no, this is primarily the application of a supernatural ability. I cannot be arrogant."
At this moment, Audrey had already figured out what the current dream was about.
She was walking down a gloomy, narrow path, surrounded by a dark forest, with a castle with towering spires ahead.
Prolonged wolf howls, slow and terrifying panting, and shrill intermittent screams came from all directions, creating a dangerous and oppressive atmosphere.
*I am still scared by the assassination of Duke Innegon, afraid that one day many Beyonders will attack Father, Mother, and Brother...* Audrey analyzed her dream from a "Psychiatrist"'s perspective.
She walked forward slowly, heading towards the castle that was almost identical to the ancestral estate of the Hall family in this incredibly realistic dream.
As she walked, a figure suddenly rushed out of the dark forest. It was a giant dragon covered in golden scales, with vertical pale golden pupils, and a thick, sweeping tail.
The dragon's facial features were exactly the same as Audrey's. Combined with its body, it gave off an indescribably strange and horrifying sensation!
Audrey was startled, nearly waking up from the dream. Luckily, having been a "Spectator," she managed to stabilize her emotions in time.
This made her realize that she had never truly forgotten the time she almost lost control when consuming the "Psychiatrist" potion. The self-comfort, self-encouragement, and improved mood at the time were only on the surface. The shadow had been rooted deep in her subconscious, occasionally reflecting into her dreams.
*Good thing I discovered it today. I can try to treat it in the subconscious later. I am a 'Psychiatrist'! If I kept ignoring this problem, I might be afraid and lose control when I advance to Sequence 6...* Audrey conducted a serious self-examination.
Stopping and starting, Audrey's dreams changed discontinuously. As a story, this was unqualified.
Finally, she reached the castle, seeing a magic wand about an arm's length sweep across the sky, scattering specks of brilliant, starlight-like radiance.
The castle bathed in the light instantly became magnificent, all gloom and darkness completely disappearing.
The music of an orchestra drifted out from within, and one gas-lit wall sconce after another lit up.
"This is my initial and most beautiful expectation of supernatural power... truly the fantasy of a little girl..." Audrey curled her lips, her mood suddenly lifting.
She did not stop, passing the castle and walking towards the edge of the dream, ignoring how the scenes behind her changed or how the story unfolded.
After walking for an unknown time, she crossed a barren wilderness and arrived at the top of a cliff.
Looking out, gray nothingness spread out, and below it was so deep it seemed bottomless.
Audrey clearly recognized this as the boundary of her dream. She didn't know what would happen if she left.
"And how do I leave? Jump down? Will I die from the fall..." Audrey thought in distress, not daring to take the risk.
After thinking for a few dozen seconds, an idea slowly formed: *This is a dream, originating from the spiritual world. As its master, I can use my will to carve a path for myself!* Holding this experimental thought, she tried to manifest what was in her mind, just like she did above the
Audrey extended her right hand, turned it palm down, and pointed it at the gray abyss.
Before her, the grayness suddenly surged, revealing a staircase that descended layer by layer but had no visible end.